University of Milan student housing situation

The University of Milan is addressing student accommodation needs through both infrastructure development and ongoing social unrest.

The university recently inaugurated the renovated Santa Sofia student residence in central Milan. This project, funded by the Ministry of University and Research and the Lombardy Region, provides 88 beds specifically for students on the right-to-study (Dsu) rankings, contributing to a total capacity increase of 200 units for the 2026-2027 academic year. The facility includes amenities such as a canteen, study rooms, and a gym, with subsidized rates of 250 euros per month for priority students.

Despite these developments, students led by the ‘Cambiare Rotta’ collective have resumed camping protests in the university courtyard to protest a perceived housing shortage. Protesters claim that the university provides only 1,345 beds, while 2,904 students are eligible for support. The mobilization highlights the high cost of the private rental market and criticizes merit-based regulations in the Lombardy Region that can lead to the loss of housing and scholarships.